Preview: Accrington Stanley vs. Sheffield Wednesday - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts come into this game fresh off the back of an emphatic FA Cup victory over Crawley Town, while the visitors lost in midweek on penalties against Southampton in the EFL Cup.

Match preview

For the first time in four seasons, Stanley were in the hat for round two of the FA Cup, courtesy of a 4-1 victory over League Two side Crawley.

Shaun Whalley celebrated his first senior hat-trick to fire Stanley into the second round, where the Reds will host either Barnet or Chelmsford City.

The 35-year-old winger struck twice in the first half and then again after the break to put the Reds in the draw for the next stage, with Ethan Hamilton adding the other.

That result serves as a much-needed morale boost for Stanley, who only had one win in their previous seven outings.

John Coleman will be hoping the victory can fire his side into shape in League One, as Stanley have only picked up one point in their last six league games leaving them in 20th place in the table, just three points clear of the relegation places.

Meanwhile, Darren Moore's side lost 6-5 on penalties against Southampton on Wednesday night, to give them their first taste of defeat in all competitions since losing to Plymouth Argyle back on October 4.

Alex McCarthy saved Dominic Iorfa's effort from the penalty spot to eliminate the Owls, but Wednesday pushed the Premier League side all the way, and even gave the Saints a huge scare when Josh Windass scored the opening goal.

The Owls sit just three points adrift of the automatic promotion places in League One, while they booked their place in the second round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Morecambe last weekend, courtesy of strikes from Josh Windass and Alex Mighten.

Despite the cruel defeat to Southampton, Moore will be encouraged by his side's defensive performances this season, particularly away from home. Stanley will take note that the Yorkshire outfit have conceded just five times while on their travels in the league.

Accrington Stanley League One form:

L

L

L

L

L

D

Accrington Stanley form (all competitions):

W

L

L

L

D

W

Sheffield Wednesday League One form:

L

W

W

D

D

W

Sheffield Wednesday form (all competitions):

W

D

D

W

W

L

Team News

Coleman rotated his starting XI last weekend, making three changes from the side that drew with Lincoln City, so it seems likely he will shuffle the pack again here.

Ryan Astley remains sidelined through injury, but Doug Tharme will be welcomed back to proceedings after being cup-tied against Crawley.

Meanwhile, midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru picked up an Achilles injury for the visitors against Southampton and will be assessed to see whether he can play at the weekend.

George Byers, Liam Palmer and Jack Hunt also missed the clash with the Saints through injury, while Mallik Wilks and Alex Mighten were cup-tied so they could return to the fold here.

Josh Windass has scored two in his last two outings, so he looks set to keep his place in the starting XI on Saturday.

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:

Savin; Rodgers, Longelo-Mbule, Tharme; Clark, Martin, Hamilton, McConville, Pritchard; Whalley, Leigh

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:

Stockdale; Iorfa, Ihiekwe, McGuinness, James; Vaulks, Bannan, Windass; Wilks, Smith, Paterson

We say: Accrington Stanley 0-2 Sheffield Wednesday

Despite the disappointment of tasting defeat on Wednesday night, we believe Sheffield Wednesday will bounce back here and continue to apply pressure to the sides in the automatic promotion spots.

Previews by email